Australian student influx tipped

The cost of many university courses in Australia is expected
to increase from 2016. The University of Auckland expects
this could make New Zealand institutions more attractive to
Australians and Kiwis living in Australia.

Australians can study in New Zealand for domestic fee costs
and without the need for a student visa.

The Government does not believe there will be an influx as
Australians cannot access student support. New Zealand
universities could see a surge in the number of students
crossing the Tasman if a new funding system gets the go-ahead
in Australia.

The Abbott Government wants to deregulate course fees, which
could push the cost of getting a qualification up by
thousands of dollars for some students.

Australians can study in New Zealand for domestic fee costs
and without the need for a student visa.

The possibility of more Australian students looking to save
money by enrolling in New Zealand institutions has been
raised by University of Auckland vice-chancellor Stuart
McCutcheon.

Australian universities and other accredited providers would
set their own fees from January 2016 under the policy, with
the Government reducing tuition funding.

"Just how much tuition fees will rise is yet to be
determined, and it will undoubtedly depend on the ranking of
the university," Dr McCutcheon wrote in a memorandum to the
university council.

"It may well make New Zealand universities more attractive to
New Zealanders living in Australia and to Australian
students."

Dr McCutcheon yesterday stressed to the Herald that it was
not certain what changes might get final approval in
Australia, and the resulting effect on fees. But if the
planned changes did survive, he said the top universities
would have to put their fees up.

"If the fees went up very substantially ... then there is
probably some merit for Australian students in considering
New Zealand as a destination," Dr McCutcheon said.

"Since the number of domestic students is capped by the [New
Zealand] Government ... it would then raise the question of
whether a more able Australian student would win the place of
a less able New Zealand student."

However, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said it was
unlikely that high numbers of Australians would come to study
here.

That was because while they paid domestic fees, they were
unable to access student support such as loans and
allowances.

"But obviously if we got a sudden influx of Australian
students, to the extent that it would have any impact on the
number of places [available to Kiwis], we'd be looking at
that pretty quickly."

The number of Australian citizens currently studying at New
Zealand universities is small - last year 370 enrolled at the
University of Auckland, and a majority had attended school
here.